Mary's Gallery September 2022

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Winter challenge

I found this image online by American artist Pam Gigac, the original was painted on slate.
I used a mixture of black and cobalt blue Gouache on white paper to create the background and let it dry completely. Tree branches coming in from the right using various colours plus pen and ink.
Some hanging red berries and a little robin redbreast, a sprinkling of snow and it was done.
So there you have it, surprisingly simple but effective.
One of my favourites.

Tutor comment
A really nice creation here, this was your own choice and I can see you loved working on this one. Reaaly great illustration, well done.

Country Church

I thought this exercise has gone horribly wrong when the pen and ink I used spread on contact with watercolour paint. However I just ran with it and several layers of paint later this moody atmospheric image magically appeared.
This exercise also involved an experiment using crumpled clingfilm which should have created extra texture, although I don’t think I was successful with that.
Very happy with this unexpected result.

Tutor comment
I love this one the misxing and bljurring effects all add to the atmosphere. Do more like this. Da iawn.

Corfe castle

More Gouache, this time the colours are autumnal, Yellow Ochre, Sienna,Umber and a dash of Red. Applying pen and ink seemed to make the colours more vibrant. This is my attempt number two which is way outside my comfort zone, however I’m glad I persuaded myself to persevere. I could get to like this new medium.

Tutor comment
A good effort here and I am glad you are getting more into Gouache, again keep using this new medium.

Picket fence

Sadly I lacked the patience required to do justice to this rather lovely picket fence.
The Scottish artist Angus McEwan uses multi layers of pure colour which gives him the quality of detail for which he is renowned.
Although I’m not totally delighted with my effort, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the class as always was totally engaged.

Tutor comment
I think you have done a great job of this difficult task. It takes many processes and this was just a glimpse into how some artists do this kind of art, Well done.

Crowned in Light

This was intended to be all watercolour, but ended up as multi media. I used pen and ink to enhance the facial features and when it was totally dry, about two days later, I went over all of it with white pastel and smudged it for a softer feel. We all had fun in class with this poor lion.

Tutor comment
You have been so brave with this task, it was not easy and the original was meant to be pure watercolour. But you have chosen to be creative and invented a whole new lion, looks great, well done.

Romean Coliseum

Water colour on heavy paper. Finished in class, mostly wet into wet, using several earthy shades as well as Paynes Grey and blues. The original is by a Russian artist.

Tutor comment
A good attempt, but I think given more time you would add even more colour adding to the texture of the scene. I have done this image twice now and each time brings something different to the process, don't be afraid to repeat these works , well done.

Light in the forest

Original painting by a Polish artist. I really like the feel of this image - brilliant winter sun glowing through the bare trees and bouncing off the snow covered branches and boughs. Love it!

Tutor comment
I also love this image and the stages and effects are quite involved, you have given this a great treatment with washes, vibrant colour and the overall finish is exciting to the eye. Well done.